Author: Carma Henry

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic. The world was alerted to the magnitude of the spread of an infectious agent that was first identified and described in Hubei Province, China. Meat and animal markets in Wuhan, its capital city, are thought to be the original transmission points of the virus.  Despite extensive efforts to trace its origin, there has been no official declaration regarding the source of this disease agent. What is important, is that WHO had recognized and declared that the entire world was in the grips of a new and deadly respiratory illness.

After 10 months of wrestling with the global COVID-19 pandemic and seeing infections continue to rage in the U.S., there is finally reason for optimism as distribution of vaccines begins. While the initial supply prioritizes vaccination of patient-facing healthcare workers and seniors, the national goal is to vaccinate everyone as supplies increase in the weeks and months ahead.

     Beginning with the oversight of the state universities by the board of regents and continuing with the board of governors, FAMU, with its unique mission has been gradually lumped into the grouping of major state universities.  This occurred while FAMU was still being funded basically as a specialty institution, with its mission to educate blacks. Gradually the metrics of FAMU’s success became morphed into a rubric of performance funding measured against programs with exponential funding by the state.

     One of the originators of this imagination was Matt Baker. He was the first Black comic illustrator to gain national fame. Nicole, what is sad is that he never received the credit his resume deserved! The New York Times on January 15th wrote a candid article on the impact of Black comic animators.

The Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Pompano Beach, Florida announces the appointment of Rev. Branden Jones as the new pastor.

   It is a shame that because of such division and a global pandemic, president-elect Biden will not get to enjoy that glorious day for himself.

     Professional sports teams, including the Washington Football Team (formerly the Redskins) and Cleveland Indians announced they would change the monikers that many said are offensive to Native Americans. Despite incremental progress, many still argue that unless much more is done to show that Black lives matter, removing racist monuments and changing racially insensitive team names and logos are just mere distractions.

2021 is the year to start planning for your future and diversify your assets. We have compiled a list of a few of our favorite Black-owned, high growth companies that are gaining traction. Minimum investment amounts for these companies range from $250 – $20,000 so regardless of your income level, you too can be an early stage start-up investor.

The Afterschool Alliance announced today that Nicole Carter, Youth Services Supervisor, at the City of Hallandale Beach Austin Hepburn Center After School Tutorial Enrichment Program, has been selected to serve as an Afterschool Ambassador for the Afterschool Alliance in 2020-2021. She is one of just 18 leaders in the United States chosen for the honor this year. Afterschool Ambassadors continue their work at local afterschool programs while serving the one-year Afterschool Ambassador term, organizing public events, communicating with policy makers and community leaders, and in other ways increasing awareness and support for afterschool and summer learning programs.

     In a live interview with the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s “Let It Be Known” breaking news morning show, and fresh off the historic second impeachment of President Donald Trump, the veteran representative cautioned the audience about settling only for an administration change. “We cannot become so enthralled with the victory that we don’t do everything that we can to reap the rewards that the victory should accord,” Congressman Green explained.